Tornado Relief

To the Editor:

This letter is to thank all those who took part in the Tornado Relief collection for the victims in Massachusetts. On June 11 the Big Y grocery store and the Newtown Police Department collected items for tornado victims. Donated items that morning included not only groceries, but cleaning supplies, toiletries, pet food, and Big Y gift cards totaling $400 (The Big Y is based in the tornado area in Massachusetts).

During the week prior to the collection, there were several key individuals that made this event a success. Edward Picochelli of Ace Hardware in Newtown worked together with McDonald Hardware in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. to collect and donate thousands of dollars worth of items. Some items donated by their stores included: 60 tarps, rope, Tupperware, flashlights, chainsaw oil, and flashlights.

Further, I would especially like to thank my sister Catherine McCarthy and her boss Kim McDonald of the Florida Ace Hardware store and the staff of the Wilton, N.Y., Ace Hardware who expedited the shipping. The items alone donated by the Ace Hardware stores filled up the back of a pickup truck!

Big Y Customer Service Manager Dave Mals donated his time on his day off to assist with the collection effort. Ron Arbuckle, DDS, donated countless handmade gift bags that were filled with toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss. Officer Bob Haas aided the collection after finishing his midnight shift, and Social Services and Animal Control both offered to collect items at their respective buildings.

And finally, I would like to thank all the well wishers who stopped by Big Y and signed the “We Care” card and donated items and gift cards. I only wish that all of you could have seen the faces of the people of Massachusetts when I drove the truck up on June 11 and dropped off all of the donations! As fast as I unloaded the truck, volunteers were loading them back in volunteer cars to deliver the items to the victims!

So, I bring back to all of you who made this collection possible, the hugs and tears of happiness that the victims of the tornado gave to me! Thank you all so much!

Sincerely,

Officer Maryhelen McCarthy

3 Main Street, Newtown                                                      July 4, 2011